Radda Backs Expansion of Health Programme to Tackle Malnutrition, Improve Maternal Care in Katsina

 Governor Dikko Radda has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to supporting the expansion of the Save the Children-led Core Group Partners Project (CGPP) in Katsina State, describing the initiative as a crucial step toward improving nutrition and healthcare outcomes for women and children.

The governor gave the assurance during an advocacy and partnership meeting with officials of the CGPP in Katsina on Wednesday.

The delegation was led by the Deputy Global Director of the CGPP Global Office, Ahmed Arale, alongside Lami Samaila and members of the organisation’s Katsina State team.

Speaking at the meeting, Radda said the planned expansion of the programme comes at a critical time when the state is intensifying efforts to combat malnutrition and improve maternal and child health services.

He noted that addressing the health challenges facing women and children remains a key priority of his administration and pledged full government support to ensure the programme achieves its objectives.

The governor commended Save the Children and the CGPP for their longstanding partnership with the state, saying their interventions have contributed significantly to strengthening healthcare delivery and improving the wellbeing of vulnerable communities.

“The expansion into nutrition and maternal and child health is timely because these are areas where our state requires sustained interventions. We are committed to supporting the initiative and ensuring its successful implementation,” Radda said.

Earlier, the Katsina State Project Manager of CGPP, Abubakar Ahmad, expressed appreciation to the state government for its continued collaboration with the organisation.

According to him, CGPP has been working in Katsina for more than 15 years, implementing various health and humanitarian programmes aimed at improving community health outcomes.

Ahmad explained that the project was introduced in the state in 2014 as part of efforts to eradicate polio and has since expanded its activities to include routine immunisation, global health security initiatives and cross-border vaccination campaigns.

He said the new phase of the programme would focus on addressing the growing nutritional and healthcare needs of women and children across communities.

The intervention is currently being implemented in six local government areas—Katsina, Kaita, Mai’adua, Zango, Daura and Funtua.

Ahmad disclosed that activities under the expansion would include nutrition education, Tom Brown food preparation demonstrations, Mid-Upper Arm Circumference (MUAC) screening, support groups for pregnant and breastfeeding mothers, as well as community awareness campaigns on infant and young child feeding practices.

Also speaking, Arale praised the Katsina State Government for its commitment to improving healthcare services and fostering strong partnerships with development organisations.

He expressed optimism that the collaboration would further strengthen immunisation coverage, nutrition programmes and primary healthcare delivery across the state.

Samaila, on her part, emphasised the importance of community involvement in sustaining health interventions, noting that the programme’s expansion reflects CGPP’s determination to address pressing health challenges at the grassroots level.

She added that the initiative would not only help sustain the gains recorded in polio eradication efforts but also improve access to quality healthcare services for women and children throughout the state.